title: Tuberculosis in developing countries and methods for its control.
abstract: Tuberculosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. It is estimated that one-fifth of the world population is infected, 12-16 million people have the disease, every year 6-8 million develop tuberculosis and 2-3 million die from it. Four methods for the prevention of tuberculosis are available: improvement of socio-economic conditions, case-finding and treatment, chemoprophylaxis, and vaccination. Each of these methods is examined in relation to a model of the chain of transmission and development of disease. Improvement of socio-economic conditions, responsible for the decline of tuberculosis in the developed world, must be seen as a long-term solution. Case-finding and treatment is the only method expected to have an important short-term impact on transmission. A summary of the results of 35 studies shows the estimated efficacy of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination ranging from 96% to none. Follow-up results from 10 controlled trials are consistent with waning of BCG protective efficacy with time since vaccination. Chemoprophylaxis and vaccination are expected to protect the individual but not to have a significant short-term impact on transmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D001500:BCG Vaccine